7.42 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

Dubai seizes pistol-like lighters, explosive sweets

Published

Government market inspectors in Dubai seized a large quantity of pistol-like lighters that could pose a security threat to the emirate as they could be used in criminal activity, a Dubai-based newspaper reported on Monday.

The lighters were among five other imported products found to be posing a threat to security and to children’s health, including explosive chocolates, laser items, inflatable toys and dummy African swords and spears, Emirat Alyoum said.

Inspectors from the Department of Economic Development (DED) seized the products during random inspection in the local market and officials said all the items would be destroyed. They also warned dealers against importing or marketing such dangerous products.

“We have confiscated all these products and will destroy them….we have seized them in coordination with the police as they pose a serious health hazard and a threat to the social security,” the paper said, quoting Ibrahim Bahzad, director of market control at DED’s consumer protection section.

He said the lighters look like a pistol and have the same size, adding they can be used in making threats and committing crime.

The laser item could also cause burns to the body from a distance while the seized chocolate toy could explode, causing a deafening sound.

“We also seized a toy which could inflate quickly when put in water…this poses a serious threat to children’s life in case they put it in their mouth,” he said.

Bahzad said DED had warned all shops against marketing such products, adding that violators could be fined and then shut down in case they repeat the offence.